Learn From Alexander

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(By Troy Price) So, there is this musical named, ‘Hamilton’. You may have heard about it. My family saw it recently and ever since we have been singing day and night. My favorite song is one where Alexander remembers his writing talent and finds the determination to face a mounting scandal head on. What becomes his second act anthem starts off very quiet. With no prelude he starts singing, “In the eye of a hurricane there is quiet, just for a moment…” Much like how this song sets up a key moment of the musical, your future in podcasting is defined by how you face the silence that is part of podcasting.

You can choose the perfect topic for your podcast. You can buy the perfect equipment. You can follow the perfect launch strategy. Yet this will happen. You will put your heart, soul and mind into your podcast, release what you think is a perfect episode and no one will respond. There will be quiet, hopefully it is just for a moment. But it may be for months.

How you handle silence from your audience will define you. If you beg and beg and beg and beg for feedback it will distract from your message. If you lose hope and become convinced that no one is listening, you may stop podcasting all together. Both of these are choices that will negatively affect your audience.

If you need a model for how to best handle these times, look to Alexander Hamilton. Double down on your strengths. Put your heart, soul and mind into your next episode, and then your next. Keep putting out shows that you are proud of. Your audience will eventually respond. This response to silence from your audience will strengthen you as a podcaster. You will have more experience, your audience will have more quality content to measure you by and you both can grow together. View their silence as an opportunity for growth rather than a reason for self-defeat.

_Troy Price is the co-founder of _Front Porch Studios_ in Berea, Kentucky. He’s been involved with podcasting for over a decade. Reach Troy by email at _Troy@frontporchstudios.com.

Comments:

Tom Hailey - Jun 5, 2019

Sound advice. Thanks, Troy.

Great advice. I would add that while you’re doubling down producing more episodes, find out if the content you’re creating even connects with your target audience. It could be that the silence indicates you’re “missing the mark” with what your audience wants or needs. So, instead of begging for the “follows”, “likes”, etc., query them occasionally for feedback.